Marlborough District Council welcomes boaties’ sentencing

Marlborough District Council’s Harbour Master has welcomed the prosecution of the owner of a launch, and another man who was on board with him at the time of a serious incident.

On 4 April 2017, Carpe Diem, a 13-metre luxury Riviera launch, ran aground on Mabel Island near Picton. It then drifted uncontrolled nearby, putting other vessels at risk.

A call was received for assistance on Marlborough Maritime Radio and the boat was assisted into Picton Harbour by a commercial vessel and the Harbourmaster patrol vessel. The two men aboard the vessel were observed by Police and the Harbourmaster to be intoxicated, and there was broken glass and empty bottles throughout the boat. The vessel sustained significant damage to its exterior when it ran aground.

At Blenheim Court yesterday, the two men, Craig Anthony Burrell and Martin David Peckham, both of Christchurch, were fined a total of $5,625 and ordered to pay more than $1,000 costs.

Marlborough Harbourmaster Luke Grogan says Picton is a very busy harbour, with ferries, commercial activity and recreational boats all together on the water in close proximity.

“The actions of this skipper posed a grave risk to the harbour and its users. This incident could easily have had far worse an outcome.

“Drunk driving on boats is unacceptable and all skippers should avoid alcohol when in charge of a vessel,” he says.

The Harbour Master welcomed the convictions and says he hopes it sends a message to other boat users.

ENDS.

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